Resilient wheel.



G. G. BAILEY.

RESILIENT WHEEL.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 21, 1914.

1,1 17,623. Patented Nov. 17, 1914.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

qlb (9 i2 g 5 17 III Witnesses THE NORRIS PETERS CI) PHOTO-L|THO.,WASHINGYDN D C.

C. G. BAILEY.

RESILIBNT WHEEL.

APPLICATION FILED rm. 21, 1914.

1,117,623, Patented Nov. 17,191 L 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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CARL C. BAILEY, OF BRUNSWICK, OHIO.

RESILIENT WHEEL.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 17, 1914.

Application filed February 21, 1914. Serial No. 820,307.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, CARL G. BAILEY, a citizenof the United States, residing at Brunswick, in the county of Medina andState of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inResilient WVheels, of which the following is a specification, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in resilientwheels and the primary object of the invention is to provide a device ofthis character which is adapted to supersede the present wheel with thecushion pneumatic tires used on automobiles.

A further object of the invention resides in providing a resilient wheelwherein air cushioning means is provided for affording the resiliency.

Still another object of the invention resides in providing a wheel ofthis character which is simple and durable in construction,

inexpensive to manufacture and one which will be very eilicient anduseful in operation.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in thenovel features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts aswill be hereinafter referred to and more particularly pointed out in thespecification and claims.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this application, Figure1 is a side elevation of a wheel partly in section and constructed inaccordance with my inven tion. Fig. 2 is a transverse section throughthe device as seen on line 22, of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is an enlarged detaillongitudinal section through the device. Fig. 4 is a transverse sectionas seen on line 44, Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a similar View as seen on line5-5, of Fig. 1. Fig. 6 is a fragmentary side elevation of one of therim-like sections, showing the dove-tail ribs thereon. Fig. 7 is afragmentary side elevation of a tire used in connection with the device;and Fig. 8 is an inner plan view thereof.

In describing my invention, I shall refer to the drawings, in whichsimilar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughoutthe several views and in which- 1 indicates a hub adapted to receive theaXle of a vehicle and an improved spoke and rim construction is designedfor cooperation therewith, whereby to form a resilient wheel withair-cushioning means. To this end, a plurality of rim-like sections 2(preferably four in number) are provided, said rim-like sections beingeach designed to provide a cylinder 3 on each side of which in spacedrelation thereto, is also formed a half section of an additional guidecylinder 4. These rim-like sections 2, when properly placed together,provide substantially a complete rim having a plurality of inwardlyextending cylinder sections formed thereon, alternating cylindersections being indicated as 3 and formed on inwardly extending flangeportions 5 of the rim sections, whereby to provide spaces between theouter ends of said cylinders 3 and the imaginary periphery of the rimsections.

Slidably mounted in each of the cylinders 3 is a hollow spoke 6 whichisdesigned to form a piston in said cylinder, and slidably mounted inthe guide cylinders 1 are the additional spoke sections 7 which formguide spokes, said spokes 6 and 7 being of a diameter less than the boreof their respective cylinders 3 and 1. I also find it of advantage tohave the spokes 7 comprising a plurality of hingedly connected sections.The inner ends of said spokes-6 and 7 have the blocks 8 formed thereonwhich are pivotally secured to the side plates or hub flanges 9, theopenings 8 in the blocks 8, through which the pivot pins 9 are directed,being elongated. A packing 10 is provided on the inner wall of eachcylinder 3 at the end thereof and a gland nut is engaged with a threadedportion of the inner end of each cylinder 3 so as to prevent any leakageof air, water or oil which is adapted to be used in connection withthese cylinders.

As just stated, air, oil or water is adapted to be used in connectionwith the cylinders 3 and piston spokes 6 and each of said cylinders isprovided with a check valve 12, whereby the fluid may be entered thereinat desired times. The cylinders 4, on the other hand, are provided withlongitudinal slots 13, at diametrically opposite points thereon andlateral pins or the like 14 are carried on the outer ends of the guidespokes and project through these slots, thus guiding the spokes 7 intheir movement in the cylinders 4.

As stated, the spoke blocks 8 are secured to the side plates 9 andarranged between the hub l and said blocks 8 are the coil springs 15. Apair of coil springs is provided in connection with each block 8,sockets being provided on the hub and blocks to receive the ends of saidcoil springs therein. These coil springs, obviously, equalize thepressure onthe hub and blocks throughout the use of the device. Formedon the outer peripheral edges of the rimlike sections 2, are thedove-tail ribs 16 which are adapted to be received in similarly shapedslots or channels in the inner periphery of a fiber tire'l'l'. A trio ofsuch ribs may be provided for each section, as are found desirable andapplied to each side of the tire is an annulus 18, the same beingsecured in position by means of bolts 19, extending through the same andthrough the dove-tail ribs 16. The tire is thus held in position on therim sections. I also provide coil springs 20 for encircling the pistonspokes 6 between the gland nuts on the cylinders 3 and the hub blockscarrying said piston spokes. These coil. springs make this portion ofthe device considerably more durable in action and this is particularlytrue in case the packing in the cylinders 3 admits of any leakage afterconstant use.

It is understood that in the use of the device, a certain amount of airwill be first forced into the cylinders 3. As the wheel is placed inuse, the weight of the vehicle will force the pistons downwardly in therespective cylinders and the pistons 6 in the cylinders 3 will force theair in said cylinders outwardly against the inner periphery of the tire,thus holding this portion of the tire in a firm, but resilient position.As the piston returns to its initial position in the cylinder, air willagain be drawn therein, through the medium of the check valve 12. As thepistons 6 are moved in their respective cylinders, the guide spokesections 7 will also be moved in their respective cylinders 4, thusretaining the parts of the device in their proper positions throughoutthe use of the wheel.

From the foregoing description of the construction of the device, theoperation thereof will be readily understood and it will be seen that Ihave provided a device which is simple and durable in construction,inexpensive to manufacture and one which will be very efficient anduseful in operation.

lVhile I have particularly described the elements best adapted toperform the functions set forth, it .is obvious that various changes inform, proportion and in the minor details of construction may beresorted to without departing from the spirit or sacrificingany of theprinciples of the invention.

Having thus described this invention, what I claim is l. A resilientWheel of the class described comprising a hub, a plurality of stemsradiating therefrom, a rim composed of a plurality of sections having aplurality of inwardly extending cylinder members formed thereon toslidably receive said stems therein, certain of said cylinders beingdesigned to form air-pressure cylinders and the remaining cylindersforming guide means for the stems, a tire applied to said rim, and meansfor securing said tire in place on the rim and simultaneously securingthe sections of the rim together.

2. A resilient wheel of theclass described comprising a hub, a pluralityof stems radiating therefrom, a rim composed of a plurality of sectionsand provided with a plurality of inwardly extending cylinders toslidably receive said stems therein, certain of the cylinders beingdesigned to form airpressure cylinders and the remaining cylindersforming guide means for the stems received therein, a tire applied tosaid rim, said air-pressure cylinders being designed to force airagainst the inner periphery of the tire as the Wheel is rotated, andmeans to secure said tire in place on the rim and simultaneously securethe sections of the rim together.

3. A resilient wheel of the class described comprising a hub, aplurality of stems radiating therefrom, a rim formed of a plurality ofarcuate sections and having a plurality of inwardly extending cylindermembers formed thereon to slidably receive said stems therein, certainof said cylinder members being designed to form air-pressure cylinders,a plurality of ribs formed on the rim sections, a tire applied to therim and receiving said ribs therein, and means secured to the ends ofsaid ribs to secure the tire in place on the rim and simultaneouslysecure the rim sections together.

4. A resilient wheel of the class described comprising a hub, spokeblocks arranged therearound in spaced relation thereto, a plurality ofstem-like spokes secured to said blocks and extending outwardly toradiate substantially from the hub, certain of said stem-like spokesbeing of hollow construction, a rim formed of a plurality'of arcuatesections provided with a plurality of inwardly extending cylindermembers, slidably receiving said stem-like spokes therein, the cylindersreceiving the hollow spokes therein being designed to form air-pressureIn testimony whereof I hereunto afiix my cylinders, a tire secured tosaid rim adapted signature in the presence of two Witnesses. to receiveair under pressure from the air- CARL Q B AILEY pressure cylindersagainst the inner pe- 5 riphery of the same, and means to secureWitnesses:

said tire to the rim and simultaneously se- HENRY REINHARDT, cure therim sections together. PHILIP E. LEWIS.

Copies of this patent may he obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. 0.

